View full sizePHOTOS BY NEW JERSEY PICTURES"ONCE IN A LULLABY: THE PS22 CHORUS STORY"
Filmmaker Jonathan Kalafer traces the students' journey from Graniteville to the Academy Awards' "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" finale. Upcoming screenings include:

Tribeca Film FestivalApril 29, 3 p.m. Visual Arts Theater at SVA, 333 W. 23rd St. between 8th and 9th Avenues, Manhattan; $25, TribecaFilm.com (note: tickets sold out within two hours).
New Jersey International Film Festival
June 2, 7 p.m. Voorhees Hall #105, 71 Hamilton St., New Brunswick, N.J.; $10, general; $9, students/seniors; $8, Rutgers Film Co-Op members; NJFilmFest.com.More info: Visit NewJerseyPictures.net or like NJP on Facebook.
Coming soon: A screening at a TBA Staten Island library branch is currently in the works. Until then, check for news updates at ps22chorus.blogspot.com and catch up with nearly a decade's worth of past videos on the PS22 YouTube channel.

Under the guidance of their beloved Mr. B, aka chorus director Gregg Breinberg, this revolving group of choristers has generated millions of YouTube hits — not to mention a who’s who of celebrity devotees — with its videotaped renditions of modern pop tunes, culminating in a show-stopping performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as the finale of the 2011 Academy Awards telecast.

So, how do you top the Oscars?

You star in a documentary about the life lessons learned on the way there, of course.

“Once in a Lullaby: The PS22 Chorus Story” makes its world premiere this weekend at the Tribeca Film Festival.

But don’t get the wrong idea — this isn’t some crass attempt to cash in on the group’s worldwidenotoriety.

Filmmaker Jonathan Kalafer’s full-length feature is a non-profit endeavor; potential proceeds will funnel right back into the PS22 music program.

“That’s really important to me —because it’s not about exploiting the kids,” says the infectiously happy Breinberg, taking a break from rehearsals for his crew’s performance with Gym Class Heroes at Wagner College.“This is what my soul loves to do. ... I still really can’t believe this is

View full sizeSOME ODDS & ENDS FROM OUR CHAT WITH JONATHAN KALAFER, THE MAN WHO CALLS HIMSELF "A TEACHER FIRST, A DIRECTOR SECOND"

Q: This film is generating lots of buzz for your work. What's next? Any other film projects in the works?A: I'm definitely just starting this whole phase of the film. I'm hoping it will get out there to other film festivals. But you know, the thing is, as far as my next projects are concerned, this really has inspired me to think about my next projects with my students.

Once this craziness dies down, I'm hoping to complete a new advanced course at my school. Right now, it's introductory, like Gregg's. The kids are in one year and their done. I would love to expand and collaborate wiht students to take their projects to the next level.

And the non-profit Tribeca Institute really wonderful educational programs that I'm hoping to get involved in, which will really benefit my students (20-39 kids between the ages of 15-19).

Q: So, what was it like to actually be at the Oscars?

A: It was a dream come true for me. Of course it happened while I'm shooting a film instead of afterward, which is sort of a fun twist.

But I got to document that journey, which I know the families were happy about. The moms and dads couldn't come, but now there is a detailed video record of the experience that the families can have.

Q: You've said that PS22's biggest fans seem to be the artists whose songs they cover. Why do you think that is?

A: I think part of the reason is, when they are singing they are creating art from that pure place every professional entertainer has at least some type of nostalgia for. It reminds them of that time, and what it was like when they first started singing or creating art.
It's something that's meaningful.

Yeah, I don't think it was just by chance that they were invited by the Hollywood audience to perform at their petultimate annual event.

happening.”

See, Mr. B isn’t grooming pop icons — he just wants to show his students “that if they work hard, people will notice and they can change their lives.”

It’s that “educational outcome” that inspired kindred spirit Kalafer — “I consider myself a teacher first, a director second” — to make his movie in the first place.

“There are so many different aspects of it: First of all, the confidence, the self-esteem,” says Kalafer, 37, after finishing up a day in his Media Arts & Sciences classroom at Dickinson High School in Jersey City.

“They also have an astonishing maturity level, and I know the chorus is hugely responsible for that. And the social and project- based skills they get should not be underestimated.”

Not to mention their media savvy: “They understand how everything they’ve seen in the news or on TV isn’t necessarily real — or even edited — reality.”

AN ORGANIC PRODUCTION “Jonathan really captured the fact that this is not a group of child stars — these are 10-year-old public school kids,” says Breinberg, a 39-year-old S.I. native. “Because you see them online or TV, they just seem a little bit more something; there’s more of a mystique about it. But watch this film and you’ll see how down to earth they are. They are ordinary kids having extraordinary experiences.”

In short, they are a testament to what public schools can still accomplish.

“We’re not a magnet school recruiting kids from all over the Island; they’re from the zoned neighborhood, yet every year we find kids that keep up the integrity of the music,” says Breinberg, adding that a small army of PS22 teachers are dedicated to the chorus, in addition to their own classrooms. “There’s nothing we’re doing that any other school can’t do with a piano, students who want to be involved and teachers and administrators who love what they are doing.”

Kalafer says he was most impressed by the fact that it’s all still completely “organic.”

“Gregg doesn’t see this as, ‘I’m a musician and this is a springboard for my musical career,’ “ he says. “All he’s ever talking about is the next project with his students. He’s definitely kept it very real.” SO, WHAT MAKES THEM SO SPECIAL? Fueled by ubiquitous TV singing competitions like “American Idol” and “The Voice,” countless wannabe warblers post videos for the online masses to pick to shreds.

What made the PS22 Chorus stand out from the crowded pack?

“Between Gregg’s arrangements and the students’ talent, I really think it is like a whole new genre of music,” says Kalafer. “I think of Gregg’s work almost like he’s a remix producer and he’s got this band of angels and they create a sound that’s really fresh. I still don’t know exactly what it is, though.”

Whatever the appeal, there’s no disputing the dedication of their fans.

“It almost feels like they have the same fanatical allegiance as Dead Heads,” says Kalafer, chuckling. “If they went on tour, I have no doubt they would have a bunch of us following them around.”

All of this love with zero solicitation to their hometown newspaper, we might add.

“We just put the videos out there and everything that happened came about very serendipitously,” says Gregg. “We never asked an artist, ‘Hey, will you come make music with us?’ or ‘Hey, can we do this gig?’”

View full sizeAP PHOTOPerez Hilton at his 34th Birthday and Mad Hatter's Ball, Saturday, March 24, 2012, in Los Angeles. In lieu of gifts, Hilton requested donations be made to VH1's Save The Music School Programs.

PEREZ: PS22’S SECRET WEAPON An unlikely source played a crucial role in exposing PS22 Chorus to a global audience: Perez Hilton.

Once considered the biggest bully on the blogosphere, the self-proclaimed “Queen of All Media” showed a softer side when he posted a video of Breinberg and company serenading Tori Amos on the street, circa 2007.

The flame-haired singer-songwriter-piano-prodigy’s rabid fanbase (of which Breinberg is a proud charter member) took notice and

—millions of YouTube hits later —the rest is history.

“Look at the way he’s promoted the kids and kept them in public eye for past five years,” Breinberg says.

“He’s sustained their popularity by posting 15-20 videos a year. I’m not really someone who follows celebrity blogs, but I can’t say a bad thing about him. I’m just a measly elementary school teacher. What he saw in me and the kids — the positive effect of that — is awesome.”

Fresh from his appearance on “Life Class” with Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra, the now much nicer (not to mention slimmer) Hilton took the time to sound off on PS22. Sure, he first noticed them because of his love of Tori.

Hilton’s focus, however, has shifted a bit. “What I’ve learned over the years is that I don’t love the PS22 Chorus — I love Gregg Breinberg!” says the celebrity blogger formerly known as Mario Lavandeira. “He is PS22 Chorus. His heart and soul and motives are inspiring. I am honored to know him and consider it an obligation to help and share and spread the love.” TO ‘GLEE’ OR NOT TO ‘GLEE’ National pundits are fond of comparing the PS22 Chorus to FOX’s “Glee,” as if Breinberg didn’t pre-date Will Schuester by nearly a decade.

“I can’t say I watch show — I don’t have time (laughs) — but from what I’ve seen I don’t think it resembles what PS22 does,” he says. “We have our own signature. It’s not your typical stiff choir thing, and it’s not some staged Busby Berkeley thing going on.”

Or as one eloquent anonymous web commenter put it: “PS22 flies in the face of all that calculated jazz-hands hackery.” OK ... Ouch.

“The whole goal of the way I teach is just to get them to express individuality, and not to choreograph their self-expression; to let them find their own way,” says Breinberg, who goes to bat for his pack in “Lullaby” when Oscar stage managers attempt to break their spirits.

“I think that’s a big part of what people find special and unique. It’s amazing — they are inspiring school choirs around the world.” IS IT TOO MUCH, TOO SOON? The pop culture landscape is littered with young talents who’ve been chewed up and spit out by the entertainment industry. What if this early brush with success just sets these children up for future disappointment?

As a teacher, Kalafer admits he had that question in mind throughout the filming process.The ultimate answer comes in a very emotional scene near the end of “Lullaby,” when Breinberg must say good-bye to his Oscar chorus (he only works with them for one school year, then on to the next crop of young minds).

“What really comforted me was seeing the way Gregg helps them put their experiences into proper perspective,” Kalafer says. “He does a superb job of taking everything, all of the year’s experiences, and making sure it was the most important lesson teachers — whether its music or math or anything — can give: Students have the power in themselves to do anything. It’s so beautiful and poetic.”After the final day of filming, Kalafer says all of his concerns were alleviated.

THE FUNDING CONUNDRUM One of PS22’s most recent collaborations was with Stapleton’s own Ingrid Michaelson for DoSomething.org and VH1’s Save the Music Foundation. Breinberg is well aware programs such as his are on the chopping block nationwide.

View full sizeNEW JERSEY PICTURESThe passionate Breinberg revs up his PS22 Chorus in a scene from "Once in a Lullaby."

The PS22 Chorus has had many brushes with fame at this point, but not all of them golden. Breinberg says a few celebrities seemed more interested in using the kids for self-promotion than anything else.

"I gotta tell ya, sometimes the kids tap into it, too," he says. "I'm not gonna mention any names, but I can tell you, 100 percent, there are some people who've sought out the kids for the wrong reasons. Ultimately, thought, every experience has been great."

But then there was that one time last year when they were supposed to sing at a Mets game. The fifth-graders were, understandably, very excited -- but then it started raining.

"We don't blame the team, obviously, but the employees were treating them like a heard of cattle and snapping at them for getting antsy," says Breinberg. "They stuck them in a tiny locker room for four hours while we waited for the rain to subside, and they were mad because the kids wanted to go to the bathroom. Then the kids started playing pass with a piece of paper.

It didn't seem like such a big deal -- until this woman snatched the paper out the kids hands. All I could say was, 'I'm sorry kids, sometimes people aren't very nice.'

She heard me and asked, 'Can I talk to you for a moment? ... It is a privilege for your students to perform here.'"

Her tone didn't go over so well with Mr. B, who says "he put on his horns" and taught his students another life lesson.

"Look I'm proud of this program, but I'm not looking to get famous by any means necessary. Respect these kids or we're walking out.

I expected them to be disappointed, but when I said, 'That's it, we're leaving' -- they applauded.

“It frustrates me to see how many art programs have been cut since, really, 9/11, when there was a big change in the budgets principals received to run schools. Now the focus is only on ELAs and math exam scores,” Brienberg laments.

“Denying music and art programs is denying a huge part of life. Kids need to be taught to express themselves in healthy ways. It’s part of the responsibility of schools.”

“I’m very hesitant to complain about the people I work for, but come on, get a vision. The school system is scrounging for funding. We let seven teachers go last year; music programs are being cut,” he says, sounding exasperated. “Don’t they see this would be a great opportunity; a wonderful way to get revenue not only for our school, but other schools? It could have been an astronomical amount just up to this point.”

(Editor’s note: The DOE never responded to AWE’s requests for comment on this story. If they care to now, we'd be happy to add their take to this story.)

“I don’t know if it’s outdated regulations or because it’s just untouched territory,” Breinberg says. “We could fly 64 kids out to the Oscars but we can’t make an album? It boggles my mind. Ah, I can’t complain, because tomorrow I’m taking the kids to sing with Gym Class Heroes — and that’s their Tori Amos!”

The apparent “toss a coin” policy also impacted an invitation to perform at a dinner for President Barack Obama earlier this year, which was nixed because it was a political event. Breinberg is passionate about leaving such decisions up to parents.

“How can they deny that?! That should have been an individual parental decision,” he says. “If they didn’t want their child to go, so be it. But it was turned down for them. If they put out a performance of a caliber that attracted the attention of the President, who is the DOE to say no?”

Of course, it would be much easier if he was doing this on a private level, but he doesn’t want to take away from the “awesomeness” and “beauty” of the project.

Never say never, but Breinberg — who, by the way, does all of his blogging and road-tripping on his own dime — can’t imagine leaving the public school system.

“You know what? I’m fighting hard because that’s what my role has become: Fighting for opportunities for these kids. We don’t seek them out — we’ve been fortunate enough to have them come to us. But I want these kids to have what they’ve earned for themselves.”

CELEBRITY ENDORSEMENTS “Once in a Lullaby” director Jonathan Kalafer says PS22’s “biggest fans are the stars whose songs they cover. Part of the reason, I think, is because they are singing — creating art — from that pure place every professional entertainer felt at one time, and has nostalgia for.”

“The coolest kids on the block.” — Gotye, currently No. 1 on the charts with “Somebody That I Used To Know”

“Have you seen the group called PS22? I want to find the next one of those.” — Simon Cowell, AP interview

“YESSSSSS!” —Adele’s response to their cover of “Rolling in the Deep”

“I almost cried. They’re little angels ... and can I borrow that choreography?” — Beyonce after PS22’s “Halo” at The Billboard Women in Music Celebration”